Joseph Isokpehi Reporting
Africa champions the Terenga lions of Senegal on Friday became the first African side to win a game at the ongoing 22nd FIFA world cup in Qatar.
Knowing what is at stake, Senegal defeated the host nation Qatar 3-1 in a crunch group A encounter inside the Al Thumama Stadium to move closer to the second round.
Senegal opened the scoring in the 41st minute through siere A Serlanitana Fc forward Boulaye Dia to silence the crowd before Famara Diedhou doubled the lead in the 48th minute from a brilliant header of Ismail Jakobs Corner.
However the host pulled one back through Ghannian-born Qatari international, Mohamed Muntari in the 78th minute with a decent header from Mohamad’s cross that brought the stadium back to life as the host were looking forward to an equalise, but it didn’t come as Bamba Dieng added the third goal for Senegal In the 84th minute after receiving a pass from Iliman Ndiaye to end the world cup party for the host, who are now the first host nation at the world cup to lose two straight group matches, and the first to also crash out of the ongoing FIFA world cup following defeats to Ecuador and Senegal, as they remain bottom in group A standing without a point.
With the result, the Senegalese are now placed third on the log with 3 points behind the Netherlands and Ecuador who are on 4 points each after both sides ended their second group encounter 1-1 Friday evening.
The game however recorded Qatar first ever world cup goal, scored by the Ghanaian-born, Mohammed Muntari who naturalized for the host nation way back in 2014, after club football in Ghana with Golden lion soccer Academy before heading to Qatar in 2012 and made his debut for the middle East county in a friendly game against Estonia.
Senegal will now focus on their next and final group game on November 29th against an Enterprising Ecuadorian side who almost sent the Netherlands to the cleaners with a good attacking style of football, in a make or mar tie as both sides need the three points at stake to guarantee a place in the second round of the world cup.
Though a draw will be good for Ecuador to qualify for the round of 16, Senegal need an outright win over the South Americans to reach the second round.
The African champions need to throw in all they have to ensure they win the clash, though it will not be easy prey for Senegal, it is possible if they raise their game, create and take their chances as a draw will rule them out of it, knowing fully well that the Netherlands will ensure they pick all three points against the host nation Qatar in their final group game to end up 7points and take one of the group slots for the second round stage of the world cup.
As much as we can say that they are missing their inspirational forward in Sadio mane, it is not over yet for the Aliou Cisse troops the Terenga lions of Senegal, they can end up with six points at the end of proceedings in group A, but they should be wary of Ecuador leading scorer and captain Enner Valencia who has really inspired the South Americans campaign thus far.
